Mercury arc rectifier



April 12, 1927 a BECK MERCURY ARC RECTIFIER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 4, 1924 a5 INVENTOR fawana deck WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY A ril 12. 1927. 1,624,383

E. BECK MERCURY ARC RECTIFIER Filed ne. 4, 1924 2 Shoots-Shoot 2 INVENTOR [dwara Beck ATTORNEY WITNESSES:

Patented Apr. 12, 1927. I

UNITEDSTA RGH, PENNSYLVANIA, .ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE NG COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

EDWARD BECK, 0F PITTSBU ELECTRIC & MAN'UFACTURI TES MERCURY ARC RECTIFIER.

Application filed December 4, 1924. Serial No. 753,851.

My invention relates to mercury are rectifiers and it has particular relation to mercury arc rectifiers th In the copending Breisch,

scribed a mercury ar Serial No. 404,251, 1920, and assigned to the Electric & Manufacturing at are started by tilting. application of E. WV. filed August 17 Westinghouse Company, is de- 0 rectifier that is started by a tilting device employing a motor imparting to the rectifier a motion. It has been harmonic oscillatory found that tilting mechanisms of tliatcharacter facilitate the starting operation since they combine a slow motion of the rectifier, at the moment when the auxiliary starting electrode draws an are upon the mercury surface, with a quick movement during the remainder of the operation.

My present invention constitutes an improvement upon the starting device described in the above-mentioned application and has, as one of i of a starting mech ts objects, the provision anism for producing a mechanism.

Another object of vide a pivotally mounted my invention is to prorectifier and a concentrically pivoted oscillatory driving member, in'combination with an electrically actuated coupling connecting the rectifier holder and the driving member.

Another object of my invention is to pro- Vide an organization of the above-described character with means responsive to the initiation of the rectifier operation for entirely de-energizing all the elements ing mechanism.

A further object of my of the startinvention is to provide a rectifier organization of the abovedescribed character wherein, ation of the rectifier operation, is automatically brought ating position, lar position of the wherein the circuits ing mechanisms gized.

provide a reliable ti upon the initithe rectifier to its normal operindependently of theparticutilting mechanism, and of the starting and tiltare immediately de-ener- A still further objectof my invention is to lting mechanism that is inexpensive in first cost and economical in operation.

The foregoing and other objects of my invention will be best understood by reference Fig. 2 is a side view of the rectifier mechanism shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the lower portion of the motor driven tilting arm shown in Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the electrical connections of a rectifier organized in accordance with my invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 and'2, the rectifier tilting mechanism is shown mounted upon a single plate 1 having bent-over edges 2 for increasing its rigidity. The supporting plate 1 extends across the full width of the panel 3 and issecured thereto by a plurality of bolts 4. I

According to my invention, all the elements of the tilting mechanism of the rectifier are mounted upon the single support-- erative relation of the several parts of the mechanism.

The tilting mechanism comprises a rectifier holder 6 secured to one end 7 of a shaft 8 that is supported by a bearing 9 which is formed in a casting 10 that is secured to the supporting plate 1. The shaft 8 is disposed perpendicularly to the plate 1 and terminates at its other end in a knob 11 for tilting the rectifier by hand from the front side of the panel. 2

v The rectifier holder 6 carries, by means of clamps 12, miliar shape such as that shown in Fig. 1. The rectifier comprises a glass vessel 15 having a mercury container 16 acting as'a cathode, two arms 17 and 18 carrying the anodes 19 and 20, respectively, and a small container adjacent to the mercury cathode 16 holding mercury acting as an auxiliary starting electrode 21.

Since the shaft 8 is bearing 9 and is above freely I rotatable in the the center of gravity a mercury arc rectifier of faof the rectifier bulb, the rectifier holder 6 will normally gravitate to a vertical position as shown in Fig. 1.

The casting 10 comprises a downwardly extending housing 22 on which is join naleal a gear wheel 23 that is driven by a worm Ql mounted on the shaft of an electric motor 26 that is secured to the supporting plate 1. The rotating gear wheel 23 is mechanically connected to a crank as which imparts an oscillatory motion to a s ringing arm 29 that is loosely pivoted on the shaft 6 directly behind the rectifier holder (3.

The lower end 30 of rectifier holder (3 carries an electrically actuated latch mechanism 251 for providing a mechanical. connection be tween the swinging arm :29 and the rectifier holder 6. The latch mechanism 31 is o'l? simple construction comprising a magnetizable core member 332 constituting Llour F-Ii'des of a rectangle with one side 35 hinged at a pivot 3 11; to provide a movable armature carrying a resilient supporting strap 35ternnnating in a latch member as arranged to fit into, a notch in the lower edge of the swinging arm The latch mechanisn'i ill is actuated by a latch energizing coil 38, carried upon the core 3 Upon tie-energizing coil 38, the latch disengages the notch 37 under the action of the wei ht oi? the armaturc33 and of an auxiliary helical spring 39.

Assuming that the motor oscillates the swinging arm 29 through the worm 24- and gear wheel 23, and that the latch mechan sm is t le-energized, there will be no mechanical driving connection between the swinging arn'r 2%), and the rectifier holder 6. It the coil 38 is energized, the hinged armature 33 will be pulled'up, pressing the latch member against the lower circularly shaped edge of the swinging arm 23$) until the hitch member snaps into the notch 37, thus perfecting a driving connection between the motor-open ated swinging arm .25. and. the rccti tier holder 6. If the coil 38 is tie-energized in any position during its oscillatory movement, the latch is released and the rectifier holder (5, together with the rectifier, gravitates back to; its normal vertical operating position.

The provision oi the latch mechanism and mounting the same upon the lower portion of the rectifier holder 6 adds directly to the weight of the. rectifier holder increasing the force tendi g to bring the same oownwardly to a vertical position. The spring member Bo is so mounted as to permitthe latch member 3 6 to slide upon the curved surface of the swinging arm 29 and engage the notch 87 when the latch mechanism is en erp'ized.

he circuit connections of the rectifier described hereinbetore are shown in Fig. 4. An alternatingcurrent supply line -11 may be connected through switches -12. and switching members 43 to a pair of primary coils l4: and 45 of a transformer 46. The coils n and i -5 may be connected either in parallel or in series by "placing the switching members -l3 either as shown in the drawing by full lines or as shown in the drawing by dotted lines.

The transformer 46 is provided with two main secondary windings 41-7 and 48 supplying a direct-current load 51 through the rectifier l5. 'lhe connectimi between the rectitier and the transformer coils 47 and a8 are etl'ected by means of two dial switches 52 and 53 to adjusting the voltage supplied to the rectifier.

The dial switch 52 is arranged as a small step dial and has a liilurality of segi'nents 54C and 55 leading to taps 5t; and 5?: on the l-l'tlllSfOl'HlQl' coils a7 and l8, respectively. (lorres ionding taps 5G and 5 7 may be connected through the contact holder 58 and segments 55) to a common junction point (30, leading to the negative terminal of the direct-current load 51. The other dial switch 53 is arranged as the flarge-step dial and is provided with two sets oi segments 61 and 62 leading to taps 6'3 and 64 dis posed on the other ends of the transformer coils l7 and 4-8, respectively. The taps '63 and may be connected by means of a contact holder (55 and terminal segments 66 and ti? and thence through reactors 68 and 69 to the anodes 19 and 20, respectively, ofthe rectifier 15. The cathode 16 ottherectifier is connected, through a sustaining reactoror choke coil 70 and an overload circuit breaker 71, to the positive terminal of the directcurlent load 51.

The transformer 46 is also provided with a tertiary winding for providing a source oi energy to perform the starting operation. ()ne terminal of the tertiary winding72 is connected to the two tel'n'iinals ofa doublepole switch 73 and thence through one pole terminal 74 of the switch and currentlimiting resistor 75. to the starting electrode 21 of the rectifier. The other terminal of the tertiary winding: 72 is connected to the rectifier cathode 16. The driving motor 26 of the tilting mechanism andthe latch-energizing coil 38 are connected in parallel to. the cathode 16 and the rcmaining terminal 76 of the double pole switch through fuses 77. i

The switch 73 which completes the Cl'l". cuits leading to the starting electrod'efQl, the driving motor 526 and the latch-energi'z ing coil 38. is normally held in closed positi'on by gravity and is automatically opened by means ot? a coil 78 which connectedinseries with the lead extending between the junction point o'l the secoi'idary windings 4H and 4118 and the direct-current load 51.

l l l' en the rectifier is started by energizing the transformer 46 through thelline switch 42, the tertiary winding 72 energizes the tilt Ill.)

' member, and means mg motor 26, the latch-energizing coil 38 and the rectifier starting circuit leading through the auxiliary starting electrode 21. The motor 26 thereupon oscillates the swinging arm 29, and the energized latch mechanism 31 effects a driving connection between the rectifier holder 6 and the oscillating arm 29, thus imparting to the rectifier an oscillatory motion during which the circuit within the rectifier, between the auxiliary electrode 21 and the cathode 16, will be opened, producing an are upon the surface of the mercury cathode. After the first or second oscillation of the rectifier, an arch will ordinarily be struck between the main anodes 19 and 20 and the mercury pool and current will be supplied to the direct-current load 51. The series coil 78 of the switch 73 will thereupon be energized, opening the starting connections comprising the circuits leading to the euxiliary electrode 31, the motor 26 and the latch coil 38. The latch mechanism will instantly release the rectifier holder in whatever position it happens to be, and the rectifier will return to itsvertical, normal position.

Should the operation stop for any reason whatsoever, for instance, by temporarily disconnectingthe direct-current load, the series coil 78 will become de-energized, releasing the switch 72 and again completing the starting connections. Under such conditions, the rectifier will be tilted continuously, ready to start the rectifier operation at any time the direct-current load is connected again.

My invention was developed with a View to providing a simple, inexpensive and reliable rectifier set which will operate at the maximum efiiciency and with a minimum of delays and disturbances. The principles disclosed in the specification are not necessarily limited to the particular details of construction shown and described herewith, and I desire that the appended claims shall be awarded the broadest construction consistent with the prior art. v

I claim as my invention:

1. A tilting mechanism for a vapor rectifier, comprising a pivotally mounted rectifier holder, a member pivoted to swing around the pivotal axis of said holder, driving means for imparting a swinging motion to said for detachably coupling said member to said holder.

2. The combination with a vapor rectifier adapted to be started by tilting, of a tilting mechanism therefor comprising a pivotally mounted rectifier holder, a member pivoted to swing around the pivotal axis of said holder, driving means for imparting a swinging motion to said member, a coupling for connecting said holder to said member, and means responsive to the initiation of the rectifier operation for energizing and deenergizing said driving means and said coupling.

3. The combination with a vapor rectifier adapted to be started by tilting, of a tilting mechanism therefor comprising a pivotally mounted rectifier holder, a member pivoted to swing around the pivotal axis of said holder, driving means for imparting a swinging motion to said member, a coupling for connecting said holder to said member, and a single relay responsive to the initiation of the rectifier operation for energizing and de-energizing said driving means and said coupling.

4. The combination with a rectifier having a cathode, a main anode and means adapted to start the rectifier by tilting, of a tilting mechanism therefor comprising va pivotally mounted rectifier holder, a member pivoted to swing around the pivotal axis of said holder, driving means for imparting a swinging motion to said member, an electrically operated coupling for connecting said holder to said member, and a single relay responsive to the current flowing through the main anode of said rectifier for deenergizing said driving means and said coupling.

5. The combination with a vapor rectifier adapted to be started by tilting, of a starting circuit therefor, means for energizingsaid starting circuit, a tilting mechanism for said rectifier comprising a pivotally mounted rectifier holder, 21 member pivoted to swing around the pivotal axis of said holder, driving means for imparting a swinging motion to said member, an electrically operated coupling for connecting said holder to said member, and means responsive to the initiation of the rectifier operation for simultaneously energizing or de-energizing said starting circuit, said driving means and said coupling.

6. A unitary tilting mechanism for avapor rectifier comprising a bearing member, a shaft in said bearing member, a rectifier holder secured to said shaft, a swinging arm pivoted upon said shaft, a motor mechanism for imparting a swinging motion to said swinging arm, and an electrically actuated latch for coupling said holder to said swinging arm.

7. A unitary tilting mechanism for a vapor rectifier, comprising a bearing member, a shaft in said bearing member, a rectifier holder secured to said shaft, a swinging arm pivoted upon said shaft, a motor mechanism for imparting a swinging motion to said swinging arm, an electrically actuated latch for coupling "said holder to said swinging arm, and a rigid supporting member for holding said bearing member and said motor mechanism in a definite relation as a detachable unit.

8. A unitary tilting mechanism for vapor reotifiers, comprising a bearing member, a shaft in said bearing member, a rectifier holder secured to said shaft, a swinging arm pgiyoted upon said shaft, a motor mechanism for imparting a swinging: motion to said swingingarm, an electrically actuated latch carried by said holder for coupling said lmldcrto, said swinging arm, a nd a rigid sup porting member for holding said bearing-g member and said motor nicclmuisnii in a deli nite relation.

9, The combination with a pivotally mounted rectifier, of a driving; member hav ing a substantially harmonic motion, and an electrically actuated coupling mcchaniinn connecting said rectifier and said driving member.

10. The combination with a pirotally mounted rectifier, of a driving; member haw ing a substantially harmonic motion, an elcctrically actuated coupling; mechanism connecti-ng said rectifier and said driving mem her, an clectro-responsive inciu is for simultaneously actuating said dri hing member and said coupling mechanism and for sitnnlla" neously rendering said member and mocha nism inoperative, said rectifier being; so mounted as to automatically return to a pro detern'iincd operating position regardless of: the stopping position of said driving member.

11. In a rectifier starting mechanism, the combination with a supporting member, of a pivot secured at right angles thereto, a

swinging rectifier holder and a swinging;

arm carried by said pivot tor independent pivotal movement, a gear wheel mounted on a shaft pa allel to said pivot, a continuously rotating motor geared to said gear wheel, a mechanical connection between said gem; wheel and said swinging arm for causing the continuous rotation of the former to impart a swinging movement to the latter, and an electrically operated latch mechanism carried by one of the swinging members for dot: :hably engagung the other.

12. In a rectifier starting mechanism, the.

:1 shalt parallel, to said pivot, a continuou y rotating motor geared to said gear wlllttlll, a

mechanical connection between said geary wheel and said sw ng arm tor causing thc (follttliltotlS rotation of the forn'ier to impart a i-rw ngnny; mm'cmel'lt to the latter, an elecsringr rectifier holder and a swinging tritailly operated latch mechanism carried by one of the swinging members for detachably (lltljtlgillg the other, circuits for energizing id motor and latch mechanism in parallel with the rectifier, and; a relay adapted, when energised, to open the circuits oat both said; n'iotor and said latch mechanism, and, when dc-cnergized, to rcclose said circuits.

l3. la :1 riartiiit-er storm-1g mechanism, the conibination with a supporting member, of a pivot secured at right angles thereto, a swinging rectifier holder and a swinging arm carried by said pivot for independent ,pivotal movement, said rectifier holder being adapted to grayitate to a normal vertical position in operation, a gear wheel mounted on a shaft parallel to said pivot and directly 1m derncath the same, a continuously rotating motor geared to SttlCl gear wheel, a crank arm carried by Stltl gear wheel and engaging vertical guides in said swinging arm for imparting a swinging movement to the latter, and an electrically operated latchmechanism carried by one of the; swinging menu here for detachably engaging the other,

In testimony whereof, I havehereunto subscribed my name this 20th day of November, 1924.

EDWARD BnoK. 

